Traverse Bay Farms Fruit Salsa
Traverse Bay Farms, based in Bellaire, is the latest Northern Michigan company to clean up at an awards competition. The makers of fruit and gourmet salsas took home seven awards at the 2011 Scovie Awards last month. It’s an annual competition that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world.
Over 800 products were entered and go through rigorous tastings from over 100 food industry experts to receive the top honors. It is one of the most competitive blind-tasted food competitions in the world.
If “Scovie” sounds familiar it is because it comes from the Scoville scale which measures the spicy heat in peppers. The scale is named after its creator, American chemist Wilbur Scoville, who developed a test for rating the pungency of chili peppers. Traverse Bay Farms took First Place honors for their Pineapple Salsa, Corn Salsa and Red Raspberry BBQ Sauce; and Second Place for their Red Raspberry Salsa, Black Bean Salsa and Apple BBQ Sauce. There was also one Third Place award for their Peach Salsa.
“We are extremely excited to win at the Scovies. This brings our total national food awards to 14 over the past few years,” said Andy LaPointe, director of marketing with Traverse Bay Farms. “This win reinforces our mission to deliver an entire line of great tasting and healthy all-natural products people can enjoy with every meal of the day.”
Traverse Bay Farms recently won the #1 Salsa award at the America’s Best National Food Competition.
The company was started by Jennifer LaPointe, a stay-at-home mom who was “looking for a better way to encourage her family to eat healthier in spite of a busy schedule.” LaPointe visited area farm markets, and what started as healthy items for her family, has now grown into a full line of fruit based products.
All of these award winning products are available throughout Northern Michigan at a variety of retailers. For a full list of products check out www.TraverseBayFarms.com or call them at 231.533-8788. --Rick Coates
Toast The Season
This is the final weekend for Toast the Season hosted by the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association. This self-guided tour allows participants to go at their own pace and enjoy up to eight Leelanau wineries a day.
The weekend includes a commemorative event wine glass and a special wine pour accompanied by holiday-themed gourmet food at each of the participating wineries. Plus a LPVA holiday ornament and a holiday gift bag featuring food from the members of Sleeping Bear Gourmet given at the first stop.
“This is a great time for families and friends to gather to celebrate the upcoming season and even get started on their holiday shopping,” said Adam Satchwell of Shady Lane Cellars. “Wines and other items from Leelanau Peninsula tasting rooms are the perfect gift for the holidays. Our wines compliment holiday meals, cocktail parties or any gathering and they make great gifts.”
The Sleeping Bear Gourmet is a group of Leelanau area businesses: Grocers Daughter Chocolate, Higher Grounds Trading Company, Food For Thought and Light of Day Organics.
Now in its 10th year, Toast the Season is the most popular of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association wine trail events. The organization was formed in 1999 with 10 wineries; today it has 18 members.
Toast the Season takes place Saturday November 13 from 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday November 14 from noon to 5 pm. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Couple ticket holders receive two glasses, pours and food at each winery, but only one gift basket and ornament. For additional details and to purchase tickets go to www.lpwines.com
--Rick Coates
Traverse Bay Farms, based in Bellaire, is the latest Northern Michigan company to clean up at an awards competition. The makers of fruit and gourmet salsas took home seven awards at the 2011 Scovie Awards last month. It’s an annual competition that recognizes the top fiery foods products in the world.
Over 800 products were entered and go through rigorous tastings from over 100 food industry experts to receive the top honors. It is one of the most competitive blind-tasted food competitions in the world.
If “Scovie” sounds familiar it is because it comes from the Scoville scale which measures the spicy heat in peppers. The scale is named after its creator, American chemist Wilbur Scoville, who developed a test for rating the pungency of chili peppers. Traverse Bay Farms took First Place honors for their Pineapple Salsa, Corn Salsa and Red Raspberry BBQ Sauce; and Second Place for their Red Raspberry Salsa, Black Bean Salsa and Apple BBQ Sauce. There was also one Third Place award for their Peach Salsa.
“We are extremely excited to win at the Scovies. This brings our total national food awards to 14 over the past few years,” said Andy LaPointe, director of marketing with Traverse Bay Farms. “This win reinforces our mission to deliver an entire line of great tasting and healthy all-natural products people can enjoy with every meal of the day.”
Traverse Bay Farms recently won the #1 Salsa award at the America’s Best National Food Competition.
The company was started by Jennifer LaPointe, a stay-at-home mom who was “looking for a better way to encourage her family to eat healthier in spite of a busy schedule.” LaPointe visited area farm markets, and what started as healthy items for her family, has now grown into a full line of fruit based products.
All of these award winning products are available throughout Northern Michigan at a variety of retailers. For a full list of products check out www.TraverseBayFarms.com or call them at 231.533-8788. --Rick Coates
Toast The Season
This is the final weekend for Toast the Season hosted by the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association. This self-guided tour allows participants to go at their own pace and enjoy up to eight Leelanau wineries a day.
The weekend includes a commemorative event wine glass and a special wine pour accompanied by holiday-themed gourmet food at each of the participating wineries. Plus a LPVA holiday ornament and a holiday gift bag featuring food from the members of Sleeping Bear Gourmet given at the first stop.
“This is a great time for families and friends to gather to celebrate the upcoming season and even get started on their holiday shopping,” said Adam Satchwell of Shady Lane Cellars. “Wines and other items from Leelanau Peninsula tasting rooms are the perfect gift for the holidays. Our wines compliment holiday meals, cocktail parties or any gathering and they make great gifts.”
The Sleeping Bear Gourmet is a group of Leelanau area businesses: Grocers Daughter Chocolate, Higher Grounds Trading Company, Food For Thought and Light of Day Organics.
Now in its 10th year, Toast the Season is the most popular of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association wine trail events. The organization was formed in 1999 with 10 wineries; today it has 18 members.
Toast the Season takes place Saturday November 13 from 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday November 14 from noon to 5 pm. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Couple ticket holders receive two glasses, pours and food at each winery, but only one gift basket and ornament. For additional details and to purchase tickets go to www.lpwines.com
--Rick Coates
